Treat Wood, Not Soil, for Termites

Q: We are building a home and the builder recommends treating the soil for termites before they pour the slab. They say it will be a lot cheaper than waiting until we get termites. Do you agree with this method? -- R.Q., Albuquerque

A: For many years I supported treating the soil to prevent termites, but not any more. A major concern is the discovery that the pesticide soil drench procedure is finding its way into the indoor air for literally years and years after application.

It was originally thought that the concrete foundation provided a solid barrier to the pesticide. However, air testing technology has shown this is not the case.

Just as radon finds its way into a home, entering from the soil, the pesticide vapors also do, moving from the high pressure underneath the home and into the lower pressure inside the home. It enters through cracks in foundation, around plumbing fixtures, etc., and other places where the termites would gain access. This provides strong evidence that this procedure should be eliminated immediately and alternative methods be used.

One alternative would be to use a borate treatment on the wood framing before installing drywall. BoraCare is a good product for this procedure.

We must get away from letting the builders treat the soil with pesticides and persuade them to treat the wood before it is built into the home.

Q: We have been plagued with huge striped beetles in the last few years. What are these beetles? They're black with white stripes and about 1 to 1{ inches long. They fly at people at a slow rate. How can we kill them or at least slow them down? -- H.M., Albuquerque

A: You are undoubtedly seeing ten-lined June beetles, which is a common scarab beetle that lives in the western United States. They feed on the needles of coniferous trees and can make a hissing sound when disturbed. They also are attracted to lights like many other insects.

These beetles are rather large, growing almost to 1\ inches or more. They have a distinctively shaped antennae as do most scarab beetles, consisting of several platelike segments. The wing covers each have four long white stripes and one short stripe. These beetles are harmless, and there is no need to control them.

Q: You are always preaching against using pesticides indoors. Is this just your opinion or can you back it up with data? -- G.S., Cedar Crest

A: My opinions on pesticide use are based upon documented studies in peerreviewed journals. According to a study in the Cancer journal in 2000, children who have been exposed to household insecticides and professional extermination methods within the home are three to seven times more likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma compared to children who haven't been exposed to pesticides.

Q: An inspector said he found termites under my house and recommends treating it. Should I take his word for it or get a second opinion? -- B.R., Gallup

A: Whenever someone wants to do a free inspection, be wary. Nobody works for free. The company will try to make a dollar somehow.

Call a second inspector to look at the evidence. If two inspectors come to the same conclusion, then you probably need to get your home treated.

I can help you find a competent and honest termite inspector or termite company if you like.

Richard Fagerlund is an entomologist. You can contact him by e- mail at

richardfagerlund@yahoo.com; by cell

phone at 385-2820 or at P.O. Box

203, Sandia Park, N.M. 87047. My

Web site, www.askthebugman.com.

(c) 2007 Albuquerque Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.